Buy Chrysler Town & Country Fender

Summary

A Chrysler Town & Country front fender-sometimes called a wing panel, wheel-arch shield, or simply a mudguard-is the stamped body piece that fills the gap between the front door and bumper. Its job is simple: keep grit, water, and stray road debris from striking the minivan's body and cabin, while giving the headlights, hood, and wheel liner solid mounting points (Popular Mechanics). Because the Town & Country (model years 2008-2016) shares its chassis with the Dodge Grand Caravan, the same left- or right-hand fender will usually fit both vans (Cars.com).

Fit & Years

The sixth-generation Town & Country minivan (2008-2016) measures about 203 in long, 77 in wide without mirrors, and rides on a 121-inch wheelbase, so a correct fender must match those outer dimensions for the door and hood gaps to line up . Both driver-side (LH) and passenger-side (RH) replacements are bolt-on parts that reuse factory mounting holes in the A-pillar, cowl, rocker, front core support, and splash shield. Typical aftermarket part numbers you may see include prefixes "CH1240-" or "CH1250-," which simply identify the Chrysler body platform and side (24 = driver, 25 = passenger).

Purpose & Safety

A front fender blocks stones and water spray that the spinning tire would otherwise hurl toward brakes, engine components, pedestrians, and other cars (NHTSA). U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 even treats rigid fenders as acceptable lamp-mounting surfaces because they are strong enough to hold side-marker lights in the legally required spots . Many states also cite "defective or improper fenders/splash aprons" as ticketable offenses, the same way they cite missing mudflaps (Wikipedia).

Materials

Town & Country fenders are usually stamped galvanized mild steel about 0.8 mm thick, chosen for dent resistance and easy welding (MotorTrend). Some aftermarket panels switch to thermoplastic PPO/PA blends (e.g., Noryl GTX) that cut weight by roughly 30 % and shrug off small parking-lot dings (SAE International). Sports cars prove plastics can work-later-generation Corvettes mix steel rear fenders with sheet-molded plastic elsewhere to balance cost and repairability (MotorTrend). Either way, a good replacement should arrive with e-coat primer to slow rust.

Common Damage

• Minor dings: supermarket cart impacts or door edge bumps.
• Parking scrapes: plastic bumper cover flexes, but the rigid wing panel creases.
• Rust blisters: road salt or chipped paint lets moisture creep under the outer coating-especially along the wheel-arch lip where sandblasting effect is worst (Popular Mechanics).
• Galvanic corrosion on aluminum parts: Chrysler issued TSB 31-002-22 after finding bubbling paint on certain aluminum panels, including fenders on some vans (NHTSA).

Replacement Steps (DIY)

1. Disconnect the battery to avoid shorting head-lamp wiring.
2. Remove trim: wheel-liner screws, side marker lamp, and any lower rocker mouldings (Popular Mechanics).
3. Support the hood (the hinge bolts to the fender flange).
4. Unbolt old panel-expect 10-14 fasteners plus seam sealer.
5. Test-fit the new wing finger-tight, adjust gaps at the door and hood, then torque bolts (metric M6-M8 class 8.8 = 9-22 ft-lb).
6. Seal hidden edges with rust-inhibiting primer or cavity wax before final paint .

Certified parts carry a CAPA yellow seal, meaning independent lab tests verified steel thickness, weld strength, and corrosion coating (CAPA Certified).

Painting Tips

A new unpainted mudguard can be finished in a home garage with rattle-can primer, color, and clear if you follow proper prep: scuff with 600-grit, degrease, tack-wipe, spray multiple light coats, and let each flash dry (YouTube). Base-coat/clear-coat paint systems are forgiving, but always wear a respirator and spray in a well-ventilated area (Popular Mechanics).

Care & Rust Control

Wash the wheel arch after salty or muddy drives; trapped salt accelerates oxidation. A yearly coat of wax or spray-on oil helps block moisture (Popular Mechanics). If you spot paint bubbles, sand to bare metal, apply rust converter, prime, and touch-up before the spot grows . Simple steps like these can double the life of a steel quarter panel.

Legal & Safety Notes

Many U.S. states require fenders or flexible extensions to cover at least the top 30° of the tire; violations can carry fines similar to faulty mudflaps (Wikipedia). Because fenders also locate marker lamps, improper fit or missing panels can fail annual safety inspections. Always reinstall side markers at the factory height and distance from the wheel opening (NHTSA).

Green Disposal & Recycling

Steel fenders are 100 % recyclable; the EPA notes that body panels are routinely shredded, sorted magnetically, and melted into new sheet metal (US EPA). Plastic wings can be ground and re-pelletized if they carry an identifiable resin code; otherwise, many yards now separate composite panels in dedicated bins to avoid cross-contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which model years share the same front fender?
A: All sixth-generation Chrysler Town & Country vans from 2008 to 2016 share the same outer sheet-metal geometry, as do Dodge Grand Caravan models from the same era (Cars.com).

Q: How can I tell driver versus passenger fender?
A: Look at the part number suffix: even numbers (-0262, etc.) are left (driver), odd numbers (-0261) are right.

Q: Steel or plastic-which is better?
A: Steel resists UV damage and matches factory panel gaps; plastic weighs less and won't dent from small hits (SAE International).

Q: Will a plastic wing rust?
A: No, but its mounting brackets may; coat bolts with anti-seize.

Q: Do I need to remove the bumper to swap the panel?
A: Only the bumper corner screws; the cover can hang forward while you work (Popular Mechanics).

Q: What paint code should I order?
A: Use the VIN label on the driver door jamb; Chrysler lists two- or three-character paint codes there.

Q: Is primer already on the new panel?
A: Most reputable panels arrive in black e-coat that is ready for scuff-and-spray, but always check for shipping scratches.

Q: How much gap should I leave between the new wing and the door?
A: Aim for an even 3-4 mm (about two stacked pennies) along the entire seam.

Q: Can I reuse my old wheel-liner?
A: Yes, unless it's cracked; liner clips push into holes in the new fender lip.

Q: Are there tightening torque specs?
A: M6 bolts: 9 ft-lb; M8 bolts: 18-22 ft-lb; always verify with a service manual for your exact year.

Q: Will replacing a fender affect airbags?
A: No, airbags rely on crash sensors mounted on the core support and frame rails, not on the fender skin.

References

2. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a63901772/how-to-remove-rust-from-your-car/
3. https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/21467ztv
4. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10229810-9999.pdf
5. https://www.cars.com/research/chrysler-town_and_country-2010/specs/
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdBG97-XAQM
7. https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2011-01-0768/
8. https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/vemp-1108-corvette-body-materials
9. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/documents/eol_vehicle_guide_final_english.pdf
10. https://www.capacertified.org/uploads/2014/12/111102.pdf
11. https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1402-how-composite-body-parts-are-created
12. https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1968-ford-mustang-fastback-custom-steel-fender-flares/
13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudflap
14. https://www.motortrend.com/articles/ctrp-0008-sheetmetal-body-stock-cars-tips/

(All dimensions and repair steps are accurate to the best of current public data; always double-check your specific van's build sheet before ordering parts.)